Dec. 11, 2010
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UW Head Coach and Player Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State
Head Coach Mike Eaves
On overall game performance:
“Satisfying would be the word to describe this game. We said to the guys, “We hope this is a satisfying win for you.” We were really solid in the first period and that was as good as a solid start that you can ask for. We might not have been flying up and down the ice but we did the things we needed to do. We shocked them, we had good body position and we did a lot of the little things that just allowed us to win. This was the most satisfying win for the boys.”
On first period play in comparison to last night’s first period:
“Once again it’s Jekyll and Hyde with this team. We tried to put our finger on why we have been having the starts we have been on Friday night at home, even more so than on the road. Is it the fact that we don’t have a pregame skate because our kids are in class and don’t have time to get together? I don’t know what it is yet. We talk about how every game is a riddle and there is no textbook answer, and how every team is like that too. But we are still working to solve that riddle of why we have starts like that on Friday nights.”
On the energy of fourth line:
“They gave us scoring chances, they gave us hits. After last night we knew we need to get them involved in the game. They gave us good minutes, solid minutes, energetic minutes. They didn’t take any penalties and were pretty good defensively. That’s what you need from your fourth line. They were very much a plus tonight although you didn’t see them on the score sheet.”
On Scott Gudmandson’s play:
“What I like about Goodie’s (Scott Gudmandson) game is his command in the crease. His rebound control and his decisions with the puck is great. At the end of the second period he did something that shows the level of experience he has and the confidence he has. With less than five seconds to go he caught the puck and he could have held on for a face off in our zone, but instead he looked up and saw a defenseman coming for us and he layed the puck down and went around the back of the net to run the clock out. That’s a pretty good indication where he is at mentally. He’s confident, has experience and is doing a lot of good things.”
On Podge Turnbull being moved to center:
“He’s been given an opportunity now, and he has been given similar opportunities before. What has happened in the past is that he has let those opportunities slip away from him. Hopefully he has grasped this opportunity and is going to hold on to it because I can’t remember the last game we won with two five on five goals and not scoring on the power play. That’s very much a positive thing from his line and the defense is responsible for that.”
On the team’s play throughout the season:
“Our record is not too bad, and our best hockey is ahead of us. That’s the message we tell them, and history tells us that when we come back we are going to be an older, more mature team because of the experiences we’ve had. I think we will springboard off of that. We’re looking forward to the second half of the season.”
On his impression of Bemidji State:
“I wasn’t surprised. I like their team from the standpoint that they skate well. They’re not the biggest team that we’ve played, but they compete hard over the puck. I’m impressed with their goaltender, he didn’t hurt them. He made the saves he should have, and some he shouldn’t have, but he kept them in the game. He gave them a chance. They play well as a unit and they have a plan when they are on the ice, which is something that is characteristic of Tom Serratore’s teams.”
Senior Podge Turnbull:
On how the team has been playing recently:
“As a team I like the way we came out tonight. We had a really good focus as a unit and our line specifically. We are just doing the little things. Getting the pucks in and out, getting the puck at the net. We are just trying to work as hard as we can to create good things.”
On his goal:
“I can control my shot pretty well. It’s just something that happens in the game, and I just try to hit the puck as hard as I can every time and it went in, so I can’t complain.”
On playing center:
“I try to play wherever they need me. It’s something that I’ve been doing since I’ve been here, which is being the utility guy. I like playing center a lot and I like playing wing a lot, so I will play wherever they put me.”
Senior Scott Gudmandson
On his performance:
“I’ve felt pretty good in the net the past five games and I’ve been playing pretty well. I have to give a lot of credit to the guys around me, they are making it a lot easier for me and they are boxing guys out in front, giving me a chance to control the puck on jump on it.”
On the overall effort:
“I think we are just more focused. We were upset with how we came out in the first period last night, so that motivated us to come out strong in the first period tonight.”
On sweeping Bemidji State:
“I think it’s big in the WCHA. Both of these games were four point games and we had to beat a team that was one point behind us in the beginning of the weekend.”
Freshman Michael Mersch
On his goal:
“When you give Justin Schultz the puck good things happen. I saw him out of the corner of my eye and he gave it back to me, and it was a great play.”
On his line’s play:
“It’s just a different look [with Podge Turnbull]. You just play with whoever, coach just puts you with a line up, and you go. The change didn’t really affect anybody. We just go out there and work hard as a team.”
On continuing better play through the break:
“It all starts with practice. I think going into this weekend we had great practices. If we keep doing that good things will happen. “
